Fact-Checker: Government’s downplay of drought effects sounds insincere

Women wait in queue to fetch water from a bowser in Turkana County. Locals have been forced to fetch dirty water due to the ravaging drought in Turkana and Baringo counties. [Kevin Tunoi, Standard]

The Government has faced intense criticism over reports that several Kenyans have died from drought in recent weeks. Recently, Deputy President William Ruto defended the Government’s response to the ongoing drought, insisting the situation is under control.

“There is a lot of fake news about what is happening. We have been told that 11 people have died, but that is not true. No one has died as a result of the drought and we are working round the clock to ensure that no one dies of hunger,” said Ruto.